Carmelo Hayes wins WWE Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal

Carmelo Hayes has reached a new milestone. On the final SmackDown before WrestleMania, Carmelo Hayes emerged victorious in the annual Andre the Giant battle royal, earning the statue bearing the likeness of the WWE Hall of Famer. He last eliminated Andrade. The final four featured Melo, Shinsuke Nakamura, Rey Fenix, and Andrade. Nakamura was eliminated by Fenix, who had the upper hand in the match until he was suddenly grabbed and thrown over the top rope by El Grande Americano, who faces Rey Mysterio at WrestleMania Saturday. Hayes emerged victorious, eliminating Andrade by dumping him as he stood on the bottom rope. After the match, Melo posed near the trophy as The Miz praised Melo, the two shaking hands. In recent weeks, The Miz has pushed for the idea of the two as a tag team, though Melo is apprehensive about doing so. Other participants in the match included R-Truth, Carlito, Los Garza, Santos Escobar, Pretty Deadly, Karrion Kross, Miz, Grayson Waller, Austin Theory, Ludwig Kaiser, Otis, Akira Tozawa,